Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2002 Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch is a black beauty. No wimpish wine at 16.9% alcohol, it is made from very low yields, and crushed in open top small bins, the alcohol is totally concealed by the wealth of fruit and intensity. From a cool hillside vineyard with a northeast exposure, it exhibits an inky/purple color as well as aromas of roasted meats, black currants, and blackberries. It is a muscular, big, powerful Syrah that keeps it all together with good intensity and a structured feel. This sensational 2002 requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should age nicely for 12-15 years.
-
Wine Spectator
Fully ripened, with a rich, concentrated core of blackberry, wild berry, pomegranate and huckleberry, it firms up and exhibits dusty oak, fresh earth, mineral, sage and spicy nuances, only to have the rich fruit return on the finish. Chewy tannins are there too, making it a good candidate for a year or so in the cellar.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.